If Spanish sea-side resorts make you think of high-rise concrete jungles, think again.Sitges is different enough to justify the boast that it is "The Jewel of the Mediterranean." Although the town is developing, it is sensitive to the need to conserve and enhance its special qualities and character whilst improving facilities for visitors and residents alike.

The resident population is currently around 20,000; although Sitges remained, for much of its history, little more than a small fishing village nestling at the foot of the Garraf hills which surround it. To this day the sea front is dominated by the Church which was at the heart of the old town. It houses a famous, and extremely elaborate, 300 year old organ, still in regular use for services and concerts.

From the middle of the 19th. Century Sitges was to attract many artists and intellectuals, and their wealthy patrons, some of whom very clearly left their mark on the town. The area behind the Church was restored and developed to become the very attractive "Old Town " we see today with its museums and galleries and the open square where concerts and other events are held.

Click on a picture to enlarge it.Use your back button to return.

In the early twentieth century an influx of wealth from Sitgetans who had made their fortune in the Caribbean combined with the rise of the Modernista (or Art Nouveau) style of architecture to create some of the spectacular buildings which still contribute so much to the character of the Eixample or "New Town" area of Sitges......

Many carvings like these decorate the buildings.

..... and on the sea front at Riberra

In fact the 2km long promenade is one of the attractions of Sitges. Landscaped and palm fringed at the end nearest the Church it eventually becomes a broad paved way favoured by joggers, cyclists and roller-bladers and stretching all the way to the Terramar Hotel.

The beach below the church is home to Sitges' sailing club and, throughout the year, the location for events as varied as a beach volleyball championship and motorcycle trials! Other nearby beaches are well equipped, with cafés and restaurants nearby. Beaches further along are quieter with shallow areas suitable for younger visitors.

For a change from the town centre you can visit Sitges marina, close by at Aiguadolc. With fifteen restaurants and five bars it caters for more than just the sailing community; and it's a pleasant place to go for a late afternoon or early evening drink.Click on this link for information and to visit the Port's English language web site.

Carnival, the various Fiestas and Corpus Christi are traditions upheld with enthusiasm by Sitgetans of all ages. Enjoyed by visitors, they nevertheless remind us that Sitges is so much more than a holiday destination. It is a lively, vibrant town with its own culture and customs in which we can all share, thanks to the dedication and hard work of those who maintain them year by year. Visit our Celebrations page for a calendar and information about Public Holidays, Carnival, Fiestas and other special events.

Thanks to its orientation Sitges often enjoys, perhaps a little unexpectedly, glorious sunsets shining the length of its beaches.

..... and further along the promenade at Vinyet.

Human towers, giant Kings and Queens parading the streets, children wearing grotesque masks, and Eagles, Dragons and Demons scattering the crowds with their firecrackers - regular features of Fiestas; while at Corpus Christi intricate flower carpets fill many town centre streets.

Reporting an average of around 300 days of sunshine a year, Sitges experiences typically Mediterranean weather, with hot summers and very pleasant spring and autumn months. Winters are usually mild and often warm enough to sit out or stroll comfortably along the promenade. The town may seem quiet then, especially during the day - but walk out in the early evening, especially at weekends, and you'll find it bustling with life. Sitges makes a great off-peak base from which to explore this fascinating region and its capital, Barcelona.

We make every effort to ensure that our site is accurate and up to date, but please remember that it is up to youto ensure that your holiday arrangements are appropriate and acceptable to all the members of your party

On summer evenings this charming corner of the Old Town is the venue for open air concerts